3 days ago
Kochi corp designs Rs 100-cr project to renovate Pandarachira Canal
Kochi: Kochi corporation designed a Rs 100 crore project to rejuvenate Pandarachira Canal in West Kochi. The project is funded by Ocean Risk and Resilience Action Alliance (ORRAA), an international agency that works to build resilience in coastal communities and ecosystems.
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Project to rejuvenate the canal, which passes through several divisions, will help address waterlogging in West Kochi area. "Integrated Urban Regeneration and Water Transport System (IURWTS) project to rejuvenate six major canals in Kochi city is being implemented under the leadership of state govt. The plan involves removing silt from canals, constructing walls, implementing sewage system to avoid dumping of faecal waste into these waterbodies, purifying water, improving side roads and installing lights to enhance beauty of the area," mayor M Anilkumar said.
"Canals in West Kochi are not included in this project. In this context, the idea of rejuvenating Pandarachira Canal, one of the main canals in West Kochi region, was proposed and it was decided to implement the project in collaboration with international agencies such as ICLEI South Asia, Bechtel and Swiss Re," Anilkumar said.
The project includes a treatment plant to process polluted water currently flowing into Pandarachira Canal.
Bridges and culverts will be renovated to maintain proper water flow during high and low tides. A permanent system will be established to ensure unobstructed flow of water, free from solid waste and water hyacinth. Sustainable desilting, pollution control and construction of new walls are key components of the project.
Construction of a walkway along the canal and development of modern public spaces and playgrounds are also included.
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Phase I will cover a 2.3-km stretch of the canal, which borders Kochi and Palluruthy. This project will aid in the future rejuvenation of other canals, including Pashnithodu in Palluruthy. Detailed DPR preparation activities have commenced. "DPR will also address connecting Pandarachira Canal with water transport routes and its maintenance with community participation. Matter Lab, a sister organization of Uralungal Labour Contract Co-operative Society (ULCCS), is preparing the DPR with a budget of Rs 50 lakh.
DPR will be completed within four months," mayor said.
A meeting chaired by mayor was attended by Monalisa Sen from ICLEI, Tara S Pillai from Bechtel and Jayakumar from Matter Lab. Pandarachira Canal, once a major cargo waterway to old Kochi city, lost its significance with the construction of modern roads and urbanization.
